Gifford’s English Lawyer or, Everyman His Own Lawyer: Containing a Summary of the Constitution of England; it’s Laws and Statutes…also The Criminal Law of England…also a Supplement Containing the Insurance Laws…by John Gifford, London, 1826. Twelfth edition. Published by A. Whellier, Mitre Couet, Ely place, Holborn. 684 pages with 148 page supplement. Rare association copy that Lieutenant General Le Couteur apparently gifted to his son, Sir John Le Couteur. The front pastedown has “Lieut. General Le Couteur to Le Couteur, Bocage, 1826” written in ink.
Below the date is the bookplate of Susan and Ralph Stein (law professor) from whose library this book was obtained. There is also some neatly written marginalia and two newspaper clippings glued onto back blank pages. The various features of this book come together in an extraordinary way.

Undoubtedly, Law was one of Sir John’s keen interests as indicated by his long term as Viscount and his writing in this book. The Habeas Corpus writ and two cases reported in the newspaper clippings involved cases that he “stood” over as Viscount. One news clipping describes a case involving the death of a woman from food poisoning by eating poison goose meat. Serving as coroner, Sir John was heavily involved in the case. The other clipping describes a case of femme sole and residency. The writ of Habeas Corpus case is an exceedingly more important case involving the law of England vs. Jersey law. A copy of the actual writ by William Stephens, 30 Bedford Row, November 6th, 1844, London is hand written on the back free end paper and pastedown. The writ was created for Charles Carus Wilson, an Englishman residing in Jersey, who was jailed for contempt of court. His writ was granted by the Bail Court of England but denied by the Royal Court of Jersey. Final outcome is not known by this writer. The marginalia appears in various places of the book with comments, corrections and missing information neatly written along the margins of some pages.

The book condition is Good with original ½ leather binding. There is a crack along the joint of the top board, wear along the bottom edges and large rubbed areas on the marbleized paper. The frontis of Lord Gifford, main index and several back leaves are heavily spotted. The title page of the supplement is bound folded in half (bindery error) and has a 1 ½” tear. The text overall is VG with light spotting. The writ is light; however, readable throughout. The top board is cracked, however, still intact. Binding is tight despite cracked hinge. Bright gilt lettering on spine is attractive on shelf. A scarce book with rare association and historical significance. Only a few 1826 editions held in world libraries. Not xlib.